ISSR Analysis of Genetic Relationship of Germplasm Resource in Prunus mume Sibe. et Zucc

Using ISSR technique to analyze the diversity and genetic relationship of germplasm resources in 39 Prunus mume Sibe. et Zucc., the result showed that 10 primers were screened with high resolution from 51 primers, 120 fragments were amplified, of which 98 were polymorphic loci, accounting for 81.67% of total. Tested materials were divided into 3 classes, as was fundamentally accorded with the traditional classification base on horticulture. There was no obvious difference in geographic relationship among the clustering results.

Genetic Relationships among Prunus mume var. pendula Using AFLP Markers

Genetic relationships among Prunus mume var. pendula were studied by using AFLP markers. 18 accessions representing 14 cultivars of Prunus mume var. pendula were selected from the germplasm collection at the Research Center of China Mei Flower. Seven Mse I-EcoR I AFLP primer combinations revealed 450 legible bands, and 269 of which were polymorphic markers. A similarity matrix was prepared using the simple matching coefficient of similarity and Neis (72) distance coefficient. A UPGMA dendrogram demonstrated the genetic relationships of the cultivars. The information given by AFLP markers was basically consistent with the morphological classification and the evolutionary history of the morphotypes, and roughly supported the new revised classification system for Chinese Mei Cultivars. But there were still several exceptions: 1) the Guhong Chuizhi inserted between the Tiaoxue Chuizhi and the Danfen Chuizhi; 2) the Wufu Chuizhi kept off the Pink Pendant Form, and the Moshan Chuizhi was removed from Viridiflora Pendant Form; 3) the Danbi Chuizhi and the Shuangbi Chuizhi of Viridiflora Pendant Form got together well but fell within the Pink Pendant Form.

New anti-proliferative agent,MK615,from Japanese apricot “Prunus mume” induces striking autophagy in colon cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the anti-neoplastic effects of MK615, an extract from the Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), against colon cancer cells. METHODS: Three colon cancer cell lines, SW480, COLO, and WiDr, were cultured with MK615. Growth inhibition was evaluated by cell proliferation assay and killing activity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Induction of apoptosis was evaluated by annexin Ⅴ flow cytometry. Morphological changes were studied by light and electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining with Atg8. RESULTS: MK615 inhibited growth and lysed SW480, COLO and WiDr cells in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin Ⅴ flow cytometry showed that MK615 induced apoptosis after 6 h incubation, at which point the occurrence of apoptotic cells was 68.0%, 65.7% and 64.7% for SW480, COLO, and WiDr cells, respectively. Light and electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining with Atg8 revealed that MK615 induced massive cytoplasmic vacuoles (autophagosomes) in all three cell lines. CONCLUSION: MK615 has an anti-neoplastic effect against colon cancer cells. The effect may be exerted by induction of apoptosis and autophagy.

Photoperiod-and temperature-mediated control of the ethylene response and winter dormancy induction in Prunus mume

Plant dormancy is essential for perennial plant survival.Different genotypes of Prunus mume,including Eumume group and Apricot Mei group,undergo leaf senescence and dormancy at different times.In order to verify the cold resistance of P.mume,freeze resistance evaluation was carried out.Our results showed that Apricot Mei group had a stronger freezing tolerance than Eumume group and that leaf senescence and dormancy of Apricot Mei group occurred at an earlier period before winter.Based on phenotypic data in response to seasonal climate change,the significant candidate regions were selected using GWAS.Furthermore,through KEGG pathway and qRT-PCR analyses,we found that the ethylene-related genes,including PmEIL(Pm002057)and PmERF(Pm004265),were significantly upregulated in‘Songchun’Mei(Apricot Mei group)and downregulated in‘Zaohua Lve’Mei(Eumume group).Ethylene-related genes expression models showed that ethylene may be indirectly involved in the induction of dormancy.The PmEIL and PmERF genes were the core genes of the ethylene signal transduction pathway and were regulated by the exogenous ACC or PZA compounds.For non-dormant or weekly dormant perennial plants,application of ACC was able to induce plant dormancy and thus enhance cold/freeze tolerance.Overall,the expression of the major ethylene genes played a significant role in dormancy induction and freezing tolerance in P.mume;accordingly,application of ACC and PZA compounds were an effective approach for enhancing cold/freeze of tolerance of woody plant.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the bHLH gene family in an ornamental woody plant Prunus mume

The basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH)transcription factor family is the second-largest family in plants,where it plays essential roles in development,and the responses to multiple abiotic and biotic stressors.However,little information is available about this gene family in Prunus mume,which is widely cultivated in East Asia as an ornamental fruit tree.Here,100 PmbHLH genes were identified,and their evolution and functions were explored in P.mume for the first time.The PmbHLH genes were classified into 21 subfamilies.The chromosomal distribution,physicochemical properties,bHLH domain,conserved motif,and intron/exon compositions were also analyzed.Furthermore,the evolutionary pattern,divergence time of the PmbHLH family,and genetic relationships among P.mume,Arabidopsis thaliana,and Prunus persica and Fragaria vesca of Rosaceae were explored.The functional prediction analysis of these PmbHLHs indicated that their functions varied,and included participating in the formation of organs and tissues,responding to stress,and the biosynthesis and metabolism of hormones and other secondary metabolites.Interestingly,expression analyses of PmbHLHs also revealed diverse expression patterns.Most of the PmbHLH genes were highly expressed in roots and stems,and a few were highly expressed in leaves,buds,and fruits,indicating tissue expression specificity.Eight PmbHLH genes,which were upregulated during low-temperature stress,may have critical roles in the response to cold stress.Ten PmbHLHs were differentially expressed between weeping and upright branches in a P.mume F_(1) population.These results shed light on the structure and evolution of the PmbHLH gene family,and lay a foundation for further functional studies of the bHLH genes.

The Use of Prunus mume in the Development of Low Chill Apricot Varieties:the Status of Work in the United States

Several groups in the USA have been working to de-velop a low chill apricot that would ripen its fruits veryearly in the season. Unfortunately, the cultivatcd apricothas been developed mainly from the high chilling Euro-pean group within the species Prunus armeniaca. Amongthe five groups within the apricot species, this is the mostrecently evolved and least variable (Bailey and

BULKED SEGREGANT RNA SEQUENCING(BSR-SEQ)IDENTIFIES A NOVEL ALLELE ASSOCIATED WITH WEEPING TRAITS IN PRUNUS MUME

Weeping species are used both as ornamental plants and for breeding dwarf plant types.However,exploration of casual genes controlling weeping traits is rather limited.Here,we identified individuals with contrasting phenotypes from an Fx bi-parental mapping population of Prunus mume which was developed from a cross between the upright cultivar/Liuban,and the weeping cultivar'Fentai Chuizhi'.Bulked segregant RNA sequencing was used and five QTLs on chromosome 7 were identified.The Pm024074(PmilGT72B3)allele,belonging to the UDP-glycosyltransferase superfamily containing the coniferyl-alcohol glucosyltransferase domain,was identified in a genomic region overlapping with a previously identified QTL;and had a synonymous transition of T66(upright)to C(weeping)in the coding sequence and a 470-bp deletion in the promoter region.Pm024074 had exceptionally high expression in buds and stems of weeping P.mume.Weighted correlation network analysis indicates that genes neighboring Pm024074 were significantly associated with plant architecture.In addition,a reliable single nucleotide polymorphism marker was developed based on the variation in the Pm024074 gene,providing precise marker-assisted breeding for weeping traits.This study provides insights into the genetic mechanism governing the weeping trait in P.mume,and indicates potential applications for the manipulation of tree architecture.

梅花扦插繁殖研究进展

阐述了梅花(Prunus mume Sieb.)扦插繁殖中梅花树种的遗传差异、插穗生长程度、扦插繁殖时间的差异、基质选择以及不同类型植物生长调节剂对成活率的影响,讨论了种植后环境对扦插繁殖过程的影响,对扦插繁殖存在的问题提出了一些建议,旨在进一步促进梅花扦插繁殖的发展。

不同浓度的GA3处理在梅花促成栽培中的应用

梅花(Prunus mume Sieb.et Zucc.)具有很高的观赏价值和美好的寓意,而中国的春节正值每年的寒冬时节,可供人们观赏的花卉不多,因此植物工作者将梅花等部分早春开花的植物进行促成栽培,将其花期提前到春节前后,以满足人们的观赏需求,丰富人们的精神生活。近年来在梅花促成栽培的过程中因为有部分梅花所需的有效积温较高,在品种繁多的促成栽培过程中很难做到花期一致,因此在近几年的促成栽培过程中使用GA3处理,最终得出在GA3200 mg/L时能够在有效积温较低的情况下有效地打破休眠,达到提前开花。

Efficacy of MK615 for the treatment of patients with liver disorders

AIM： To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of MK615, a Japanese apricot extract, in an animal model, and its clinical therapeutic effect. METHODS： Wistar rats were administered physiologi- cal saline （4 mL/kg） or MK615 solution （4 mL/kg） for 7 d. On the sixth d, acute hepatic injury was induced by administering a single intraperitoneal injection （ip） of D-galactosamine hydrochloride （D-GaIN） （600 mg/kg）. Plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were determined, and liver tissues were used for histopathological analy- sis. Fifty-eight patients with liver disorders [hepatitis C （n = 40）, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （n = 15）, and autoimmune liver disease （n = 3）] were orally admin- istered commercially available Misatol ME-containing MK615 （13 g/d） daily for 12 wk. Blood and urine were sampled immediately before and 6 wk, 12 wk, and 16 wk after the start of intake to measure various bio- chemical parameters. The percentage change in ALT and AST levels after 12 wk from the pre-intake baseline served as a primary endpoint. RESULTS： D-GaIN effectively induced acute hepatic injury in the rats. At 48 h after the ip injection of D-GaIN, the plasma levels of ALT （475.6 ：t： 191.5 IU/L vs 225.3 ＋ 194.2 IU/L, P 〈 0.05） and AST （1253.9：1：223.4 IU/L vs 621.9 ＋ 478.2 IU/L, P 〈 0.05） in the MK615 group were significantly lower than the control group. Scattered single cell necrosis, loss of hepatocytes, and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in hepatic tissue samples collected from the control group. However, these findings were less pronounced in the group receiving MK615. At the end of the clinical study, serum ALT and AST levels were significantly de- creased compared with pre-intake baseline levels from 103.5 ：l： 58.8 IU/L to 71.8 ＋ 39.3 IU/L （P 〈 0.05） and from 93.5 ：E 55.6 IU/L to 65.5 ＋ 34.8 IU/L （P 〈 0.05）, respectively. A reduction of 〉~ 30% from the pre-study baseline ALT level was observed in 26 （45%） of the 58 patients, while 25 （43%） patients exhibited similar AST level reductions. The chronic hepatitis C group exhibit- ed significant ALT and AST level reductions from 93.4：1： 51.1 IU/L to 64.6 ＋ 35.1 IU/L （P 〈 0.05） and from 94.2 ＋ 55.5 IU/L to 67.2：1：35.6 IU/L （P 〈 0.05）, respective- ly. A reduction of 〉~ 30% from the pre-study baseline ALT level was observed in 20 （50%） of the 40 patients.ALT levels in both the combined ursodeoxycholic acid （UDCA） treatment and the UDCA uncombined groups were significantly lower after Misatol ME administration. MK615 protected hepatocytes from D-GaiN-induced cytotoxicity in rats. Misatol ME decreased elevated ALT and AST levels in patients with liver disorders. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that MK615 and Misatol ME are promising hepatoprotective agents for patients with liver disorders.

北京城市公园梅花病虫害调查——以紫竹院公园为例

梅花(Prunus mume)是我国重要的观赏植物,在园林景观中应用广泛。近年来梅花主要病虫害种类及发生情况有所不同,本文以紫竹院公园为例,对园内不同样地的梅花病虫害利用踏查的方法进行了研究。结果表明,15种病虫害中,虫害8种(鳞翅目3种,半翅目4种、膜翅目1种)、病害4种(侵染性病害2种,非侵染性病害2种)、有害螨类2种和其他有害植物1种,其中最常见的病害是穿孔病,最常见的虫害是桃蚜。结果可为进一步研究提供理论依据。